Restoration ecology in France. Current dynamic and actions of a multi-stakeholders network, REVER.

In the past few decades, ecological restoration and restoration ecology have widely developed. This trend can be explained by a rather favourable context, in particular legally speaking and regulatory framework-wise both at the European and nation-wide levels. Rediscovering the mitigation hierarchy "Avoid, Minimize, Restore" (ERC – Éviter, Réduire, Compenser) written in the 1976 French law, and implementing the E.U. habitats directives or the E.U. water framework directive and various nation-wide or local incentive policies or programs set up between 1990 and 2000, led to the development of restoration practice and research. Restoration or ­rehabilitation projects are nevertheless also confronted with administrative, socio-economic or technical obligations that can become real brakes. Thus, the sometimes important works realized imply to take into account their impacts (which can potentially be negative for biodiversity) through more or less heavy procedures. Considering local practices (recreation, fishing, etc.) and perceptions is also important for restoration success. Following the model of international networks, such as the International Society for Ecological Restoration (SERi), the francophone network for ecological restoration (REVER) aims at accompanying and at favouring the development of restoration by facilitating the relationships between the various stakeholders: scientists, site managers, etc., through the exchanges of knowledge and experiences. Among its actions, REVER organises workshops, the sixth edition of which was organised in Strasbourg in March 2015. The diversity of the communications as well as of the participants illustrates the diversity of ecological restoration and restoration ecology stakeholders in France.